So, what is the best brake pads for Silverado 1500 & 2500 HD trucks?
Brake pads are kind of an important part of a vehicle as you know…
Therefore, if you are going through the effort of replacing them, you do not want to put on a sub-par product. The last thing you want is to be replacing them again soon.
So, this list provides insight into the brands and products that are worth buying. Cheap trash will not be included because it is just not worth your time or the money you think you are saving.
If you want the best brake pads for longevity and safety, keep reading until the end!
Best Brakes for Silverado 1500 & 2500HD – Overview
Below is the full list so you can quickly identify the products we are going to look at before diving into the details.
| Image | Brake Pads | Front | Back |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Power Stop Z23 Evolution Sport Brake Pads | ||
 | Power Stop Z36 Truck and Tow Brake Pads | ||
 | ACDelco Gold Ceramic Disc Brake Pad Set | ||
 | Wagner Quickstop Brake Pads | ||
 | Bosch BC1363 QuietCast Premium Brake Pads | ||
 | Hawk Performance HB561Y.710 LTS Brake Pad | ||
 | EBC Yellowstuff Street and Track Brake Pad |
Best Brake Pads for Chevy Silverado – Detailed Reviews
Here in this section, we will check the best brake pads for Chevy Silverado 1500 & 2500 HD. Go through each of the products. That makes your decision easier to buy the best one.
1. Power Stop Z23 Evolution Sport Brake Pads – Front & Back
Summary
Power Stop is well known in the brake industry and for good reason. They are relatively new to the industry but their brake kits are trusted and high-quality.
Their brakes are tested using the ‘LA Traffic Test‘. This test uses a braking Dynamometer to simulate the stress placed on the braking system by vehicles traveling on taxi routes in Los Angeles. You can imagine the stress this causes so passing this kind of test is a good sign.
All Power Stops brake pads are made from carbon-fiber-reinforced ceramic which is hardwearing and they are specifically designed to eliminate noise which you get with some ceramic pads. They also produce far less dust than most pads so your wheels will look cleaner for longer.
Overall, these are a really good option for a Chevy Silverado that will last long and give you great stopping power for daily driving. However, if you do a lot of hauling and towing, you may want to look at Power Stops Towing brake pads below.
If you also require rotors, this is a great option from Power Stop.
KEY FEATURES
- Noise Free
- Low dust
- Long-lasting materials
2. Power Stop Z36 Truck and Tow Brake Pads – Front & Back
Summary
By now you know what Power stop is all about. If you like what they have to offer but you need something that can handle a little more extreme use, this may be the option for you.
You get the same high-quality carbon-fiber ceramic pads, low dust, low noise, etc. that we’ve seen above but they have also included stainless steel shims which aid in heat dissipation. This is useful when the pads are engaged for long periods of time, like a long descent, which is part of the reason these are rated for towing.
If you do a lot of hauling, towing, or hard braking with a powerful engine, these are definitely worth having a look at. You will get the benefit of a more durable pad without making any sacrifices to your daily driving.
Again, if you want to replace your rotors at the same time, these are a great option from Power Stop.
KEY FEATURES
- Dust-free
- Noise-free
- Stainless steel shims for better heat dissipation
- Durable materials all round
3. ACDelco Gold Ceramic Disc Brake Pad Set – Front & Back
Summary
By now you know what Power stop is all about. If you like what they have to offer but you need something that can handle a little more extreme use, this may be the option for you.
You get the same high-quality carbon-fiber ceramic pads, low dust, low noise, etc. that we’ve seen above but they have also included stainless steel shims which aid in heat dissipation. This is useful when the pads are engaged for long periods of time, like a long descent, which is part of the reason these are rated for towing.
If you do a lot of hauling, towing, or hard braking with a powerful engine, these are definitely worth having a look at. You will get the benefit of a more durable pad without making any sacrifices to your daily driving.
Again, if you want to replace your rotors at the same time, these are a great option from Power Stop.
KEY FEATURES
- Dust-free
- Noise-free
- Stainless steel shims for better heat dissipation
- Durable materials all round
4. Wagner Quickstop Brake Pads
Summary
Wagner specializes in Brake Pads and they pride themselves on continuous innovation, engineering, and quality testing. They make sure their products meet the necessary standards and are engineered to provide the most reliable experience.
These brake pads are designed to restore your braking experience to its original performance. Like most quality ceramic brakes it has reduced noise and great durability.
Overall, these are a perfect option to restore your braking to its original function and it is the most affordable option where the price is a concern.
If you want rotors as well, here is a bundle by Wagner that includes rotors.
KEY FEATURES
- Restores Braking to OE performance
- Durable ceramic pad
- Reduced noise and vibration
- Quality tested
5. Bosch BC1363 QuietCast Premium Brake Pads – Front & Rear
Summary
Bosch is a well-known company who you, no doubt, have heard of. As a company, they cover a wide range of products but that does not mean they don’t have a good grasp on the braking industry. In fact, they patented their first brake system design patent in 1936.
The pad is made from a combination of ceramic and semi-metallic materials and it is designed like the rest to reduce noise for a quiet braking experience. They also boast an extra protective layer that adds life to both the pads and your rotors.
This is the top-of-the-line brake pad from Bosch and the number of sales they have made on Amazon, and the high-rated reviews, speak to the quality and reliability of these pads.
They also have a great option if you are looking for Bosch rotors as well.
KEY FEATURES
- Ceramic and semi-metalic composition
- Extra protective layer to extend both brake and rotor life
- Designed for quiet braking
- Reputable company
6. Hawk Performance HB561Y.710 LTS Brake Pad – Front
Summary
Hawk is not as seasoned a brand as some of the others on this list but their pads are of a very high standard. These are performance brakes so they will provide you with better longevity and stopping power when compared to OE parts.
This pad is made from ‘ferro-carbon‘ meaning they have created a compound by adding carbon to a semi-metallic pad. This aids in braking power and longevity and is a step up from ceramic. Furthermore, you get the added effect of less noise and lower dust production.
The biggest downside to these pads is that, unlike the other pads on this list, they do not come with new hardware so you will have to use your existing hardware or buy separately.
These are a bit pricey but they are high-end quality and will certainly last longer than most pads, especially under harsher conditions.
KEY FEATURES
- Premium ‘ferro-carbon’ material
- Longer pad and rotor life
- low noise and dust
7. EBC Yellowstuff Street and Track Brake Pad – Front & Back
Summary
EBC specializes in braking systems and are known for their high-performance products. They are a UK-based company that operates internationally and they pride themselves on world-class and quality-controlled products. Their products are manufactured in their own factories in both the USA and UK so these are not cheap Chinese imports by any means.
They have a few different offerings in the brake pad market indicated by the colors blue, red, green, and yellow like this one. The ‘yellowstuff’ pads provide better than OE performance meaning that they can handle light track use but can still be used for everyday, street driving. You will get both improved stopping power and longevity.
They are made using a high-friction formula, which provides the necessary performance for towing and hauling as well. These pads also have a “break-in” coating so that you get immediate braking power without a long break-in time.
When it comes to the best brake pads for a Chevy Silverado, this is right up there. If you want the very best in braking power and longevity and you have a high budget, these may be for you!
If you are looking for the whole package, here are some EBC rotors as well.
KEY FEATURES
- Made in the UK and USA
- High-perforance with hauling, towing and light track ability
- Low dust and noise
- Break-in coating
Things you should know before buying brake pads for your Silverado:
Below is a list of things you need to know before buying brake pads for your Chevy Silverado.
Vehicle fit
It is very important to note that the above list will direct you to the right brands to look at and give you some insight into the qualities of each. However, the exact product listed, may not fit your exact vehicle and model.
So, if you have found a brand you like and want to check if it fits your vehicle this short video guide will help:
Front or Rear pads
The front and rear pads are different sizes…
So, you need to check which one requires replacing or if both require replacing. Either way, you are going to need to make sure you purchase the correct ones. This article has made it easy by linking separately to each position where available.
Rotors
Since you are already going to the effort of replacing the brake pads, it’s a good idea to take a look at your current rotors and how worn they are. If they are very worn or rusted, it may be a good idea to replace those at the same time.
Material
The most common materials for brake pads are ceramic or semi-metallic or some combination of the two. Here are the characteristic of both materials:
Ceramic
- Can handle high temperature well
- Highly durable especially when compared to semi-metallic
- Better heat dissipation
- Lower noise production
Semi-metailic
- Require little time to warm up so they are good in cold climates
- Slightly less durable than cermic
- Less brake dust
High-quality ceramic pads are usually a good choice for Chevy Silverado’s as they are great when it comes to longevity and stopping power.
Are Fittings included
Some of the above products include the hardware necessary to fit brake pads but some of them don’t. If you think your hardware is compromised, it may be worth opting for a product that includes new hardware.
FAQs (Frequently Askeed Questions)
Here are some important questions with answers that may provide further insight into your decision:
How do I change my brake pads?
We have our own article on the subject but this video will provide some quick insight.
Which brake pads last longer ceramic or metallic?
Ceramic brake pads generally last longer. They also tend to produce less wear over time to your rotor than metallic brake so your whole braking system should last longer with ceramic pads over metallic.
How long do brake pads last on a Chevy Silverado?
This will depend on the quality, materials, and use of your pads but a good range is between 30,000 and 70,000 miles.
Can I just replace brake pads and not rotors?
Yes, you can. However, this is dependant on the condition of your rotors. It is always a good idea to replace worn or rusty rotors so it may be worth replacing your rotors at the same time as your pads. Especially since it requires some effort and time to access this part of your vehicle.
Conclusion
Brake pads are an essential part of your vehicle because, at the end of the day, your personal safety is of the utmost importance. That is why this list does not include low-quality or budget brake pads.
Furthermore, with high-quality, performance pads like the ones listed, you will get better stopping power and a longer life for your whole braking system.
Any option on this list is a good option for your Chevy Silverado so take a look at your budget and your braking requirements (hauling, towing, track, etc.) to make the final decision.